Activities & Experiences Product Update

Discover Zealandia Te Mārā a Tāne - an ecosanctuary right in the heart of Wellington, with a free day-time electric shuttle service available from the Wellington isite.

• New in 2022 - Zealandia At Dawn
  Experience the awakening of the sanctuary as sounds of hihi, tīeke and tūī start a new day. Tours start before sunrise and include breakfast. Operating on weekends, May-August.
  $125pp (allow 2.5 hours).
• New in 2022 - Zealandia Photography Tours
  Photograph wildlife and nature like a pro in these new guided tours. You’ll get unprecedented access to advice from expert photographers and view Zealandia through a whole new lens. Available weekends, October to April, starting at 7.30am.
  $120pp (allow 3.5 hours). Ages 12+.
• Zealandia by Day Tours
  Join one of our experienced guides on an engaging and informative walk through the picturesque sanctuary to witness the native wildlife that is once again living on the mainland. Tours operate year-round, with private tours available for groups.
  $60pp (allow 2 hours). No age restrictions.
• Twilight Tours
  Experience the dusk chorus sung and a flurry of activity as a range of resident birds return to their nests against the magical backdrop of the dusk sky and the calm forest environment. Tours operate October-March, and private options are available year-round.
  $95pp (allow 2.5 hours). Ages 5+.
  
• Zealandia by Night Tours
  Explore the sanctuary by torchlight as your guide leads you in search of some of the more distinctive sights and sounds of New Zealand’s native forest. See glow worms, tuatara and the famous Little Spotted Kiwi. Tours operate nightly, year-round.
  $95pp (allow 2.5 hours). Ages 12+.

Embark on the iconic Wētā Workshop Experience and learn about the making of movie effects and props - from armour to weapons, creatures to costumes, make-up to prosthetics and more! The perfect activity for individuals, couples, families and groups.

• Public and private 90-minute guided movie making tours, transfers, dining packages and creative workshops all available
• New in 2023: The tour space has undergone a refresh making it more interactive than ever before! There are new artefacts, photo opportunities and live artist demonstrations.
• New in 2023/24: Translation services will be implemented in the 23-24 season.

Bring Aotearoa New Zealand's stories to life through the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa's guided tours.

• Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War
  The awe-inspiring exhibition has been extended until April 2025.
• Te Taiao | Nature exhibition
  Celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural environment – and get ready for our future as kaitiaki (guardians).
• Te Papa Highlights Private Tour
  Learn about how New Zealand came to be and what the future holds for this island nation.
• Māori Experience Kīnaki Tour
  Discover how te iwi taketake (first peoples of the land) have formed unique tools, foods, and medicines provided by the natural world of Aotearoa New Zealand and share kai (traditionally-inspired food) with your guide.
• Mana Māori Private Tour
  A one-hour private tour through Te Papa and experience the living and breathing taonga of the first peoples of the land.

The Wellington Cable Car is now offering exclusive tours for small groups to give a glimpse of the technology that powers this iconic Wellington landmark. $45 for a group of 6 (allow 45 minutes)

The tour includes:

• Ride up on the Cable Car with a guide
• Stop at Talavera to observe and discuss how the track and cable work
• Visit the current winding room at the top of the hill.

*Rates for standard Cable Car tickets available.

Returning in 2023, Te Wharewaka o Pōneke offers a unique tourism experience. Discover Wellington’s rich and diverse Māori history through our Waka (Canoe) and Walking Tours.

• A unique and authentic Māori cultural experience on Wellington Harbour, learning to paddle a Māori waka.
  Perfect for the group market with a minimum of 10 pax and a maximum of 18 pax. Ages 5+. *Rates available on request.
• Cultural Walking Tours explore hidden Māori treasures around Wellington. Perfect for small groups or FITs. Private tours available on request. No age restrictions.
  City to Sea Cultural Tour: $35.00pp.(allow 1 Hour).
  Hidden Māori Treasures Tour: $40.00 (allow 2 Hours).

New Zealand Photography Workshops offer practical hands-on workshops capturing the stunning scenery of Wellington. Their 1 day Wellington workshops start beginner photographers on the path of personalising and capturing unique photos.

He Tohu is a permanent exhibition of three iconic constitutional documents that shape Aotearoa New Zealand, including the original Treaty of Waitangi, the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand, and the Women's Suffrage Petition.

• Take an audio tour or contact He Tohu to organise a guided experience.
• Self-guided audio tour available in eleven different languages: English, Te Reo Māori, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, French, German, Fijian, Samoan, Tongan, Hindi, and New Zealand Sign Language.

On the Kāpiti Coast, discover Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, a native bird and forest reserve. Easily accessed off the Kāpiti expressway or cycleway and only a 45-minute drive from Wellington.

• Ngā Manu offers intimate Kiwi experiences on the ‘Kiwi Night Encounter’.
  $50 (minimum age 7+).
• Stay overnight in the onsite cottage and have the reserve to yourself after hours.
  $160/night.
• Go behind the scenes with a ‘Ranger Experience’.
  $75 (minimum age 7+).
• Take the ‘Native Icons Tour’.
  $60, or enjoy the reserve at leisure entry is $15.
• Private tours can be arranged for groups.

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre in the Wairarapa (2 hours drive from Wellington City) is home to conservation breeding programmes for many of New Zealand’s most endangered wildlife, including kiwi.

• Offering self-guided and guided visitor experiences, including 1-hour highlights tour, night tour and cultural tour.
• As well as a 30-minute Kiwi and Friends Experience, perfect for groups with limited time available.

Cycle the Martinborough vineyards with Green Jersey Explorer Tours

• One Day Martinborough Explorer
• Choose from 25 cellar doors within 4km of the town centre, or adventure further into the quiet countryside.
• 2 Electric assist bikes and helmets
• Helmets, safety equipment, tools
• Snack bars and fruit and Vineyard lunch at Poppies

Walk and talk wine in Martinborough with a local guide with Martinborough Wine Walks. Trespassing (with permission!) through vineyards, dodging the occasional sheep and visiting producers in their place of work. Join viticulturists and winemakers for genuine and exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into their stories.

Tour includes:

• A knowledgeable local guide/host
• All wine tastings
• A relaxed winery lunch
• Mon/Thurs/Friday at 11.30am
• 4-12pax

Visit various Martinborough wineries and vineyards by a luxury vehicle and knowledgeable local guides with Martinborough Wine Tours. *All tours can be made private and personalised on request

• Half-Day Wine Tour
  $135pp. Three or more people.
• Full-Day Wine Tour
  $210pp. Includes lunch. Three or more people.
• Pinot to Palliser
  Wine tasting in Martinborough and a trip to Wairarapa's south coast.
  $295.00pp. Includes coffee and lunch. Three or more people.
• Martinborough in a Day
  Unique behind-the-scenes tours of Martinborough wineries.
  $325.00pp. Three or more people.
• Ultimate Wine and Food Tour
  Visit vineyards, taste beautiful wine and choose other tastings to experience, such as cheese, olive oil, gin and beer.
  $395.00pp. Includes three-course lunch. Three or more people.